Vittoria Coffee Legend Award: Jeremy Strode

For an outstanding long-term contribution to the industry, chosen from a short list by Les Schirato of Vittoria Coffee.

The late Jeremy Strode, pictured in his kitchen in 2013. Photo: Louise Kennerley

Jeremy Strode 1964-2017

Jeremy Strode was one of the country's best-loved chefs (Bistrode CBD, the Fish Shop). The Brit-born chef's dishes were recognisable for their spare, almost austere aesthetic, where what was left off the plate was often as significant as what was left on. Strode's influence on the industry over 27 years' cooking in Australia is inestimable but perhaps the largest thumbprint he will leave is his nurturing of young chefs, who lovingly refer to him as The Truth for his honest, no-bull approach to cooking. His kindness, openness and his willingness to share his knowledge and his skills were legendary. They will be greatly missed.

MYFFY RIGBY

"I fell in love with Jez's food long before I had even met him. Eating at Pomme I knew I had to work for him. No one respected ingredients quite like he did. He intuitively knew when to stop putting something else on the plate, letting everything else breathe. He was passionate about the environment and was banging on about seasonality and sustainability years before it became trendy. He simply couldn't eat at a restaurant if it was serving tomatoes in winter or asparagus from Peru. It took a long time to become friends and we were falling in love with each other so slowly neither of us realised. And it was a crazy, powerful enormous love that was big enough to get us through the hard times that would follow. We had so many incredible, exciting, fun times together. Bringing Hunter and Nathaniel into the world and watching them turn into the gorgeous boys they are now, travelling, running our little Bistrode together and eating so much food. This industry was Jeremy's whole world. He lived and breathed it. And when he discovered Instagram it was like fanning a fire. To be connected instantly to the rest of the food world and to share his experiences became an obsession. It was pretty f---ing annoying at times! I will spend the rest of my life missing him and trying to reconcile how much pain he must have been in that he could leave us like this. I need all of you to help keep him alive for me and especially for Max, Hunter and Nathaniel."